SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 9

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

TRU fosters innovation through applied research, entrepreneurship programs, and collaboration with local industries on sustainable technologies.

Learn more about SDG 9

Discover how TRU advanced this Sustainable Development Goal in 2024/25

Campus Operations

TRU horaizon

TRU horaizon supports the responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence across the university by advancing AI literacy, experimentation, collaboration and applied learning opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

Low-Carbon District Energy System

TRU is proud to lead the way in sustainability with the Low-Carbon District Energy System. This major infrastructure project will eventually connect campus buildings to an innovative heat pump system — replacing natural gas boilers and helping TRU achieve its 2030 goal of being ‘zero carbon.’

LEED Certifications

The last three buildings that TRU has built — the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health (2020), the Industrial Training and Technology Centre (2018), and the Brown Family House of Learning (2011) — are all certified LEED gold buildings, and have many low-carbon features.

TRU Library Makerspace

The TRU Library Makerspace provides equitable, no-cost access to innovative technologies that support experiential learning, creativity and hands-on exploration. The space also hosts workshops and events that encourage innovation, skill development and collaboration across the university community.

TRU Research Plan

TRU Strategic Research Plan represents a road map to connecting research with community needs, engaging in global research challenges and ensuring the research enterprise contributes to the university’s 10-year strategic change goals.

TRU Research Services

The TRU Research Services office supports faculty and students across the full research lifecycle — from funding and ethics review to grant administration, mentoring, and tools/resources — to foster high-quality research outcomes.

TRU Research Week

TRU’s annual Research Week celebrates and strengthens the university’s expanding, interdisciplinary research community through competitions, conferences, and workshops that showcase student and faculty research and build research skills.

Research Policy and Practices

Faculty and students participating in research and scholarly activity must abide by TRU Policies.

Community Partnerships and Outreach

TRU Generator

TRU Generator helps students, alumni, faculty and staff turn ideas into ventures by providing mentorship, entrepreneurial training, educational workshops, networking opportunities and support in identifying funding and grant opportunities.

TRU Tourism Innovation Lab

The TRU Tourism Innovation Lab empowers students to turn ideas into ventures by combining entrepreneurial training with hands-on experience through a partnership between Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Innovation Centre, and TRU’s Tourism Management department.

Robotics Workshop for High School Students

TRU hosted a free robotics workshop for students in Grades 8 to 12, introducing participants to STEM concepts through hands-on robot programming, problem-solving activities and a robotics competition.

Research and Innovation

PERception and RObotics Laboratory

The PERception and RObotics Laboratory advances autonomous aerial and legged robotic systems through research in perception, state estimation and control. A major focus of the lab is developing robotic technologies to support wildfire management, including mapping fire zones, assessing damage and monitoring ecosystem recovery.

Hillside Data Centre

Located on TRU land, the Hillside Data Centre will become part of Bell’s national AI infrastructure network, creating opportunities for research partnerships, student learning and industry collaboration. The project incorporates energy-efficient design, closed-loop cooling systems and future integration with TRU’s planned Low-Carbon District Energy System, supporting both AI innovation and sustainability objectives.

Feasibility Study of Hydrogen Production

Dr. Hasnat Dewan received a TRU Sustainability Research Grant to explore the feasibility of sustainable hydrogen production in British Columbia and its potential contribution to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.